We have compiled a list of resources for you below. Please share with your network and those affected. Take extreme caution. Turn around don’t drown.
Please only call 911 for immediate medical, fire or police emergencies. Call 311 to report flooding or debris in streets.
- Wondering what to do after Harvey? Get started by reading this helpful post from Texas Watch for property owners struggling in Harvey’s wake.
- Apply for assistance at https://www.disasterassistance.gov. This also helps connect you to other resources.
- Apply for disaster unemployment assistance from Texas Workforce Commission for benefits online or by calling 1-800-939-6631 weekdays between 8 A.M. and 5 P.M.
- The State Bar of Texas maintains a toll-free referral hotline at 800-252-9690 for legal advice.
Clean Up
- Disinfect items that touch floodwaters: 1 cup bleach/5 gallons CLEAN water. Dispose of whatever cannot be washed.
- If cans have come in contact with floodwater or storm water, remove the labels, wash the cans, and dip them in the bleach/water solution. Re-label the cans with a marker.
- Food containers with screw-caps, snap-lids, crimped caps (soda pop bottles), twist caps, flip tops, snap-open, and home canned foods should be discarded if they have come into contact with floodwater because they cannot be disinfected.
Report debris or flooding
- Call 311 from your phone to report debris or flooding
Power outages
- Stay away from downed power lines
- Report downed power lines by calling 311
Food safety after power outages
- http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/refridg_food.html
- Your food should be safe as long as power is out no more than 4 hours
- Keep the door closed as much as possible
- Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers) that have been above 40 degrees F for over 2 hours
Resources for Hurricane Harvey
- Visit Hurricanes.gov for the latest on the storm.
- Visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov (español) for tips on how to prepare for and stay safe during hurricanes and flooding.
- Visit the FEMA Social Hub for updates from official emergency management social media accounts.
- Download the FEMA Mobile App to receive alerts from the National Weather Service, get safety and survival tips, customize your emergency checklist, find your local shelter, and upload your disaster photos to help first responders.
Social Media Accounts
Legal hotline
- The State Bar of Texas has established a legal hotline at 1 (800) 504-7030 to help people find answers to basic legal questions and connect them with local legal aid providers.
Monetary donations and volunteering
- Greater Houston Relief Fund
- Red Cross – Coastal Bend
- Red Cross – Gulf Coast
- Red Cross – Central & South Texas
- Red Cross – North Texas
- Salvation Army – disaster.salvationarmyusa.org or 1-800-725-2769
- Autism Society of Texas
- South Texas Blood and Tissue Center is in dire need of blood donations to prepare South Texas Hospitals for Hurricane Harvey
- Texas Workers Relief Fund
- Texas Diaper Bank – Diapers are not provided by disaster relief agencies. Donate cash or diapers at texasdiaperbank.org